Common Redpoll

April 13, 2026

Female Common Redpoll can identified by it’s breast lacking red tinted feathers.

Male Common Redpoll can be identified by its red breast feathers.

This March we were visited by a flock of Common Redpolls. This was the first year they made their presence at our bird feeder. Known for being predictably unpredictable the Common Redpoll has a inconsistent habit of one winter they will be seen in abundance at your feeder or in limited numbers and the next year they will be absent. So with this, my question was answered on why we have not seen the Common Redpoll till his year and we may not see them again for a year or two. The reason for this is the Common Redpoll does not nest in New England.

The Common Redpoll is known to winter in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The reason is it has a unique feature in that it can endure colder winters then most songbirds. This is due to its highly insulated feathers. With their feathers fluffed out this allows the Common Redpoll to trap layers of warm insulating air allowing it to endure the colder temperatures.

Being able to endure the long New England winters comes at a cost to the Common Redpoll, they must eat constantly during this time or be in danger of running out of fuel or dying of hypothermia. As being considered a small bird the Common Redpoll is unable to store heat making them always on the hunt for food, and making them a great fan of back yard feeders and grain fields.

The other characteristics of the Common Redpoll is that they are care free and fearless of humans.

The Common Redpoll can be seen near coastal barrens, open fields, scrubby growths, forest edges and backyards with feeders. They prefer to hang around birch, alder and willow stands, and also like weedy areas at the edge of fields.

Categories: Backyard Birds, Birds